This follows The Crown Estate engaging with industry earlier this year, confirming market demand in two locations for development, which is now the focus of the leasing rounds. The first has been denominated the Offshore Wind Area, off the south east coast of County Down, which will be leased to a single development company to deliver up to 600MW of generating capacity.
The second – the Rathlin Island and Torr Head Strategic Area – has been designated for the installation of a single tidal stream area of up to 200 MW capacity. Sites will be leased to developers for delivery of multiple projects and applications will be invited for projects of a range of sizes up to 100 MW.
Separate competitive tendering processes will be undertaken for the offshore wind and tidal projects, which will be run in parallel. Tenders will be assessed on bidders' ability deliver fully operational projects by 2020 and a successful conclusion of the leasing rounds would see development rights awarded in the second half of 2012.
The leasing rounds seek to capitalise on the Northern Ireland's marine renewable energy resources to help deliver the Northern Ireland Executive's target to significantly increase the amount of electricity consumption from renewable sources to 40 per cent by 2020. Last week’s announcement builds on the extensive and on-going work by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) to drive forward the offshore renewable energy industry in Northern Ireland waters, which has included the preparation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of potential locations for development.
"Northern Ireland offers a strong but accessible offshore resource, world class research facilities at our Universities, a strong engineering tradition and an excellent port infrastructure,” commented Northern Ireland Energy Minister, Arlene Foster. “The development of offshore renewable energy provides not only greater energy security and diversity but significant economic and employment benefits.”
A few weeks ago, the Danish utility, Dong Energy, the world’s leading offshore wind operator, announced agreements to develop an offshore wind centre in Belfast Harbour (promising 300 jobs). “This recent announcement confirms that Northern Ireland has what it takes for offshore renewable energy development," said Foster.
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